Where the National Women’s Soccer League Championship goes, the Portland Thorns often follow.
The Thorns will play in the final for the fourth time on Saturday after defeating the San Diego Wave, 2-1 on Sunday at Providence Park in the semifinals.
Crystal Dunn blasted the game-winning goal into the back of the net in second-half stoppage time to lift Portland to victory in front of 22,035 fans. It was an electric moment for a crowd of fans who turned up in support of players but in protest of team ownership, holding up “For Sale” signs as a message to Thorns owner Merritt Paulson.
On and off the field, it was an unforgettable game in Portland. These were the major talking points.
Crystal Dunn’s fairytale
Crystal Dunn gave birth in May. At one point, she revealed after Sunday’s match, she thought about calling it a year and waiting until 2023 to come back, but she quickly thought better of that and wanted to get back on the field.
Less than six months postpartum, she scored her most memorable and spectacular goal to date.
CRYSTAL DUNN AND THE CROWD GOES WILD!!@Cdunn19 | @ThornsFC pic.twitter.com/COECaQuags
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 23, 2022
The Thorns built up Dunn’s minutes late in the season. Her minutes: 5 on Sept. 9, 12 on Sept. 21, 8 on Sept. 25, 22 on Oct. 1. After that, she played with the U.S. during the international break, but the 28 minutes she played on Sunday were her most in league play this year, and the slow build was rewarded on Sunday.
